Definition of Alport syndrome:

Alport syndrome is an inherited disorder that leads to kidney damage.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Alport syndrome is an inherited form of kidney inflammation (nephritis). It's caused by a mutation in a gene for a protein in connective tissue, called collagen.

The disorder is uncommon, and most often affects males. Women can transmit the gene for the disorder to their children, even if they have no symptoms.

Risk factors include:

• End-stage kidney disease in male relatives
• Family history of Alport syndrome
• Glomerulonephritis
• Hearing loss before age 30
• Nephritis